Vitreous Hemorrhage

print

Overview

Mild vitreous hemorrhage can look like numerous floaters.

Severe vitreous hemorrhage can obstruct the vision entirely.

The vitreous gel inside the eye is normally mostly clear. Some of the collagen fibers inside the vitreous gel can start to mature with age and turn into little clumps or strands, which can be visible as floaters. They are noticeable especially when looking at a bright background like a white computer screen or the blue sky. If you develop a vitreous hemorrhage, you may notice sudden appearance of more floaters in your vision. If the hemorrhage is severe, the entire vision can turn dark. There are many conditions that can cause a vitreous hemorrhage. Depending on the cause, different treatments may be needed. If you think you have develop a vitreous hemorrhage, you should see a retina specialist promptly.

Vitreous Hemorrhage

Causes

A hemorrhage in the vitreous gel can develop from a bleeding vessel in the retina. Sometimes the bleeding can come from under the retina or from the front of the eye. There are many possible causes. The most common cause of a vitreous hemorrhage is posterior vitreous detachment, where the vitreous gel contracts with age and the pulling forces of the gel rupture a tiny blood vessel in the retina. Other causes include:

Retinal tear or detachment

Diabetic retinopathy

Retinal vein occlusion

Age-related macular degeneration

Retinal arterial macroaneurysm

Ocular trauma

Sickle cell retinopathy

Intraocular tumor

Symptoms

Patients with vitreous hemorrhage may notice:

A sudden, significant increase in the number and size of floaters

Vision loss

Blurry, cloudy or hazy vision

Flashes of light

When symptoms occur, you should see a retina specialist promptly.

Treatment

The type of treatments used to treat a vitreous hemorrhage depends on the cause and severity of the vitreous hemorrhage. If the vitreous hemorrhage is associated with a more threatening condition like a retinal detachment, surgery may need to be performed. Treatment is tailored to the individual patient situation and may include: